The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop buying a used block

i'm in the market for a new 235 block for my truck. i have found a few but they are not in running condition or removed from the vehicle so i cant verify the condition of the water jacket. i plan on rebuilding the engine so the condition of the bearings and such is not that important to me. the conditon of the block itself is.

i know to look for a "lip" on the top of the cylider. i have also been told that the water jacket often cracks on the driver's side so i could look there for an obvious crack.

are there any other key items/areas to check?

thanks

If you are paying good money for a local, used block, buy it on the condition that it is not cracked (note the engine serial number on the bill of sale). Then have the block cleaned and checked for cracks and for "rebuidability".

thats a good idea. i'll see if any of the sellers will go for that.

most of the blocks are pretty inexpencive but i dont need a useless block in my yard.

most won't go for it, unless they are asking too much for it in the first place. anything with "insurance" you will prob have to pay for it. i would just use the unknown factor to try to get it as cheap as possible. remind the seller of it may be junk several times as you are bartering. in the end you prob will just have to roll the dice till you get it checked. it's always irritating to pay for somethng and do several hours of work just to find it's no good, such is life.

I know Colletsbro likes to test his engines for a few weeks of driving before he sells them. He has a good reputation in Stovebolt. Might want to talk about an engine with him.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...lat&Number=507297&gonew=1#UNREAD